Royal Collections probe finds dozens of colonial-era objects likely acquired unlawfully

Independent researchers have concluded that a limited number of colonial-era objects in the Royal Collections may have been obtained through unlawful or unjust means. The findings come from an investigation into roughly 1,000 items carried out by a committee established by the Foundation for the Historical Collections of the House of Orange-Nassau (SHVON). In most cases, the committee found no immediate signs of wrongdoing, although information about many of the objects was incomplete. The origins of around 200 items remain unclear.

Researchers concluded that several dozen objects were likely obtained unlawfully, with a “high degree of probability.” Most of these items were taken during military campaigns before being gifted to members of the royal household.

Among the objects identified are a historic blunderbuss linked to Raden Intan, taken during the 1856 Lampong expedition, and a shield belonging to the military leader of the ruler of Samalanga, which was captured during the First Samalanga expedition in 1877. Both military campaigns were carried out in the former Dutch East Indies.

The research examined objects acquired by the royal family between 1840 and roughly 1949. Colonial-era items dating from before 1840 are largely missing from today’s Royal Collections because they were not preserved. Most of the investigated objects came from Indonesia, Suriname, and the Caribbean, and were primarily gifted to King William III, Queen Wilhelmina, and Queen Emma.

The committee behind the investigation issued several recommendations, including sharing the report with representatives of former colonies. It said this could mark “a first step” toward “an open dialogue” about the future of objects in the Royal Collections that may have been acquired unlawfully or unjustly.

The researchers also advised SHVON to prepare a policy for dealing with possible restitution claims if requests are made for the return of certain items.

Peter Schoon, a board member of SHVON, said he is proud of the outcome of the investigation. “We are going to digitize everything as quickly as possible, preferably before the end of the year, and then begin discussions with the countries of origin as soon as possible as well.”

Queen Máxima said she is “grateful” for the independent investigation into the origins of objects in the Royal Collections. “We embrace the conclusions and are pleased to adopt all of the recommendations. Careful stewardship of the colonial objects within the Royal Collections is of essential importance. A solid foundation has now been laid for this,” the queen said.

“We will now move forward with making information about objects obtained during the colonial era more accessible, in line with the committee’s recommendations,” the statement said. “Transparency is essential to enabling an open discussion with those involved in the countries from which the objects originated.”